Brazilian film festival: Indie film tells a tale of hope, home and love

‘Viva Cuba’ inspires viewers of all ages; festival cancelled due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

ISLAMABAD:

Breaking away from the local trend of Hollywood and Indian movie screenings, “Viva Cuba” debunks many clichés that tend to revolve around the values of friendship, love and belonging.

The independent film aptly portrays the inseparable bond of two friends who embark on a journey to the end of the world - chasing dreams and coming home to each other.

Its screening was a part of the IV Festival of Brazilian Cinema in Pakistan at the Brazilian Embassy in collaboration with the Cuban Embassy on Friday evening.

Directed by Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti, the movie explores the problems of Cuban immigrants and their lasting impact on the younger generation. It has been shot from the vantage point of the two protagonists Malú Tarrau Broche and Jorgito Miló Ávila, who, despite their stark class differences, promise to stay friends forever.



From playing in the neighbourhood to fighting at school, they are an odd duo. While Malú’s mother’s restricts her from playing with Jorgito - who she sees as being inferior, the latter’s mother is too proud of her socialist family roots to allow her son to interact with the girl next door. The film goes forward while intertwining glaring realities with child-like wonder.

While their families do not accept each other owing to the complexes, the children are lost in a world of their own.

When Malú’s grandmother dies, her mother decides to move to another country. When Malú gets to know about the plan, she escapes home to travel to the other side of the island with Jorgito. Through a series of adventures, they evade police and come across strange characters along the way.

For them, this escape is the only way they can defend the right to live in their neighbourhood, have their own friends, attend school and stay friends forever. Oddly though, it is grappling with their disappearance that brings their bereaved mothers together.

While the film follows a simple plot, the subtle twists and turns keep the viewer on the edge as the drama unfolds. Illuminated Havana streets, rich countryside and the soft background music lend the film its laidback feel apart from the powerful undertones for the struggle for survival.



Originally in Spanish language, the film was screened with English subtitles at the event and gained much appreciation and laughter at the comic scenes.

“We need more of such films to understand the various cultures and to get some insight into their lifestyles. This is a well-made film that says so on a human level. I felt like I could really connect with the core message,” commented one of the guests at the screening.

In a comment about the film, the director said: “The first of our intentions is to make a call to reflection from parents about the need to take into the account the views of children when making important decisions, such as that of go live in another country.”

Moreover, he added that “Viva Cuba” was also meant fill a space in filmmaking not only dedicated to the children but to the whole family, hence the emphasis on classifying it as a film for all age groups.

Unfortunately, in an announcement on Saturday, the head of the embassy’s cultural section Gustavo Carneiro said the festival had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2013.